Manchester United battled back from two goals down to draw with Manchester City
Manchester United secured their place in next season’s Women’s Champions League after coming from behind to draw with rivals Manchester City in an enthralling encounter at Old Trafford.
Everton stunned Liverpool at Anfield to complete a derby double and Chelsea moved one step closer to completing an unbeaten season with victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Crystal Palace’s Abbie Larkin struck eight minutes into stoppage time to rescue a point for her side against Leicester City and Aston Villa made it four wins in a row with a 3-2 win over West Ham United.
United comeback seals European place
Manchester United sealed their place in next season’s Women’s Champions League after overturning a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Quickfire strikes from City pair Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak ensured Nick Cushing’s side had the advantage before Grace Clinton pulled one back for the Red Devils moments ahead of the interval.
Substitute Melvine Malard completed the comeback for Marc Skinner’s side just five minutes after coming onto the pitch when she latched onto Elisabeth Terland’s flick-on. The French international kept her composure to slot past Khiara Keating and spark the home fans at the Stretford End into wild celebration.
Fellow substitute Aoife Mannion’s dismissal for a second yellow card just one minute later set up a grandstand finish but Nick Cushing’s side were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
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Toffees take victory at Anfield
Everton completed the league double over Liverpool with a 2-0 win over their rivals at Anfield. Katja Snoeijs and Karen Holmgaard were on target for the Toffees, as Brian Sorensen’s side continued their strong end to the season.
Just as she had done in the reverse fixture in November at Goodison Park, Snoeijs broke the deadlock when she fired past Rachael Laws. Holmgaard then asserted control of the tie when she stole in at the back post to double the Toffees’ advantage with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Her twin sister Sara was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Olivia Smith in the 81stm minute but despite the hosts’ superiority in numbers, Everton held out to claim bragging rights and move within two points of their neighbours.
Palace rally late for point
Championship-bound Crystal Palace came back from behind twice to rescue a point with a dramatic 2-2 draw against second-bottom Leicester City.
Foxes forward Hannah Cain netted on the stroke of half time before Annabel Blanchard buried her 69th-minute spot kick to level the scores. Shannon O’Brien had seemingly decided the contest in Leicester’s favour when she rifled an ambitious, long-range strike past Shae Yañez four minutes into added time.
But Palace substitute Abbie Larkin replied moments later with the last kick of the game to ensure her side a share of the spoils and deny the Foxes a first away win of the season.
Blues stay unbeaten
Catarina Macario’s first-half penalty fired title winners Chelsea past Tottenham Hotspur and left them on the brink of completing an unbeaten season. Macario was brought down in the box just after the half-hour mark and duly sent Lize Kop the wrong way with her spot kick.
Spurs came close to levelling the scores when Charli Grant beat the Blues’ offside trap but the Australian fluffed her lines and fired straight at Hannah Hampton. Down the other end of the pitch, Maika Hamano saw her long-range effort stopped by Kop before firing a strike over the crossbar after Macario threaded the ball into the Japanese’s path.
Kop was then called into action twice late on when she denied Ashley Lawrence and Sjoeke Nusken. The result leaves Chelsea one game shy of completing an invincible campaign while Spurs are now nine games without a win.
Villa continue winning run
Aston Villa made it four wins in a row after battling back from behind to defeat West Ham 3-2.
An eventful first half saw both sides trade two goals each ahead of Chasity Grant’s eventual winner. Ebony Salmon broke the deadlock for Villa after five minutes of play before Shekiera Martinez equalised with her 10th league goal of the season.
Riko Ueki edged West Ham in front when she scooped the ball above Sabrina D’Angelo before coolly converting into an empty net, only for Rachel Daly to offer instant reply after intercepting Hammers skipper Katrina Gorry’s wayward pass.
Grant then settled the tie by racing clear of the Hammers backline before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.